Workplace and ergonomic specialists from Cornell will be available statewide via a satellite video conference on April 29 through Cornell Cooperative Extension to address issues relating to workplace safety and efficiency.

Three Cornell professors, all in the Department of Design and Environmental Analysis in the university's College of Human Ecology, will participate in the panel discussion "Planning for a Safe, Efficient Workplace."

They will address:

• how to recognize potential health problems related to computer workstations (e.g., carpal tunnel syndrome);
• how to design computer workstations to enhance productivity and protect users' health; and
• how to use office space more effectively and efficiently.

The public is invited to attend at extension offices that downlink the conference. Those attending the conference at a downlink site can call or fax in questions to the Cornell panelists: William Sims, Alan Hedge and Lorraine Maxwell.

The conference may be of particular interest to local businesses, not-for-profit agencies, persons with home businesses (such as family day care, bed-and-breakfasts), government offices and agencies (social services, health, management information systems, human resources), and any other groups with office space or groups who have computer users.

Persons attending the conference will receive materials which will help them address areas of concern in their workplace. These materials will also be available on the World Wide Web about one week before the conference at .

Potential downlink sites may register by contacting Lorraine Maxwell at (607) 255-1958, fax (607) 255-0305 or e-mail <lem3@cornell.edu>.